This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) supports vision primarily through its high concentration of zeaxanthin and beta-carotene. These carotenoids accumulate in the retina, specifically the macula, acting as antioxidants that filter harmful blue light and neutralize free radicals. Traditional Chinese Medicine attributes this effect to the herb's ability to nourish liver blood, which is believed to directly benefit the eyes. Evidence level: C.
Can I take goji berries with warfarin?
You should avoid consuming wolfberry (goji berry) if you take warfarin. Wolfberry contains compounds that may increase the risk of bleeding by enhancing the anticoagulant effects of warfarin. Case reports suggest it can elevate INR levels, potentially leading to hemorrhage. Patients on blood thinners should consult a healthcare provider before adding this herb to their diet. Evidence level: C.
What is the recommended daily dosage for dried goji berries?
The standard adult dosage for dried wolfberries is 10 to 15 grams daily, roughly equivalent to a small handful. For concentrated extracts, a dosage of 500 to 1000 mg per day is common. The berries can be eaten raw, cooked in soups, or steeped as a tea. It is best to start with a lower amount to assess digestive tolerance. Evidence level: Traditional.
Is wolfberry safe to eat during pregnancy?
Yes, wolfberry is generally considered safe for consumption during pregnancy when eaten in moderate food amounts. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is used to nourish liver and kidney yin. However, pregnant women should avoid high medicinal doses and consult a healthcare provider before use, especially if taking other medications or experiencing digestive issues. Evidence level: Traditional.
What are the side effects of eating goji berries?
While generally well-tolerated, wolfberry may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some individuals, particularly when consumed in large quantities. Rare cases of hypersensitivity or allergic skin reactions have been reported. People with high fever or diarrhea should avoid this herb as it may exacerbate these conditions according to Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. Evidence level: Traditional.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum), also known as goji berry, is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb and functional food used to promote health and treat various diseases [PMID:33907670, PMID:38107149].
Background
Lycium barbarum is a genus of the Solanaceae family, where the fruits, roots, stems, and leaves are utilized for both food and medicinal purposes [PMID:38107149, PMID:34083720].
Traditional uses
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is used to enhance immune system function, improve eyesight, protect the liver, boost sperm production, improve circulation, and treat tinnitus, impotence, spermatorrhea, and blood deficiency [PMID:33907670, PMID:38657878, PMID:41059192].
Active compounds
Key bioactive components include Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs), carotenoids (such as zeaxanthin dipalmitate), polyphenols, betaine, flavonoids, glycopeptides, and phenolamides [PMID:31163996, PMID:37282868, PMID:38138534, PMID:38541744, PMID:38657878, PMID:41059192].
Mechanism of action
Mechanisms include inhibition of the PI3K/AKT1 signaling pathway in lung cancer [PMID:36591458], inhibition of the ERK, AKT, and CyclinD pathways in oral cancer [PMID:36761830], and regulation of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α signaling pathway to inhibit muscle atrophy [PMID:38778385]. It also acts by reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis in the brain [PMID:37182278, PMID:39644762], and increasing the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila to increase YAP1 expression in the liver [PMID:36468767].
Clinical evidence
Evidence AGlucose and Lipid Metabolism
Daily consumption of LBP significantly regulates serum triglyceride (TG), fasting blood glucose, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) [PMID:34213407]
Evidence BPeriodontitis
Evaluated as a mouthwash compared to chlorhexidine for managing periodontitis [PMID:39640061]
Evidence DFemale Fertility
Aqueous extract significantly increased pregnancy and live birth rates in naturally aged female mice [PMID:39224078]
Evidence DMale Reproductive Injury
Protective effects against anti-tuberculosis drug-induced reproductive injury in mice [PMID:40761284]
Evidence DMuscle Atrophy
Gouqi-derived nanovesicles (GqDNVs) inhibited dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy in mice [PMID:38778385]
Evidence DAnxiety Disorders
Wolfberry glycopeptide (LbGp) relieved anxiety-like and depressive behaviors in chronic restrain stress mice [PMID:37182278]
Safety & adverse effects
Most herbs and supplements can be safely taken in moderation, but some reports indicate risks of bleeding events when used concurrently with certain medications [PMID:32478963].
Drug interactions
Wolfberry is listed among herbs and dietary supplements that may interact with warfarin, with some reports indicating potentiation and an increased risk of bleeding [PMID:32478963].
Dosage & administration
TCM suggests preparation as a decoction or ground into a powder and mixed with other herbs [PMID:33907670]. Consult a healthcare provider.
Evidence summary
Evidence ranges from high-level meta-analyses for metabolic regulation to preliminary animal and in-vitro studies for neuroprotection, oncology, and reproductive health.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 38778385 (2024) — Gouqi-derived nanovesicles (GqDNVs) inhibited dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy associating with AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α signaling pathway. · Journal of nanobiotechnology
2.PMID: 32478963 (2021) — Warfarin and food, herbal or dietary supplement interactions: A systematic review. · British journal of clinical pharmacology
3.PMID: 33907670 (2021) — Health benefits of wolfberry (Gou Qi Zi, Fructus barbarum L.) on the basis of ancient Chineseherbalism and Western modern medicine. · Avicenna journal of phytomedicine
4.PMID: 39224078 (2024) — Lycium barbarum berry extract improves female fertility against aging-related oxidative stress in the ovary. · Food & function
5.PMID: 36591458 (2022) — Gou Qi Zi inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis through the PI3K/AKT1 signaling pathway in non-small cell lung cancer.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 37836464 (2023) — Black Goji Berry (Lycium ruthenicum Murray): A Review of Its Pharmacological Activity. · Nutrients
7.PMID: 38107149 (2023) — A comprehensive review of goji berry processing and utilization. · Food science & nutrition
8.PMID: 38138534 (2023) — Bioactive Components of Lycium barbarum and Deep-Processing Fermentation Products. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
9.PMID: 28807155 (2017) — Effects of Lycium barbarum on the Visual System. · International review of neurobiology
10.PMID: 38657878 (2024) — Contribution of phenolamides to the quality evaluation in Lycium spp. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
11.PMID: 37282868 (2023) — [Structure-activity relationship of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
12.PMID: 39644762 (2025) — Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) glycopeptide attenuates dopaminergic neurons loss by inhibiting lipid peroxidation in Parkinson's disease. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
13.PMID: 27507521 (2017) — Polyphenols from wolfberry and their bioactivities. · Food chemistry
14.PMID: 34991393 (2023) — Prebiotic effects of goji berry in protection against inflammatory bowel disease. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition
15.PMID: 38541744 (2024) — Antitumor Mechanisms of Lycium barbarum Fruit: An Overview of In Vitro and In Vivo Potential. · Life (Basel, Switzerland)
16.PMID: 36468767 (2023) — Wolfberry enhanced the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila by YAP1 in mice with acetaminophen-induced liver injury. · FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
17.PMID: 33804230 (2021) — Yeast Synthetic Biology for the Production of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
18.PMID: 39640061 (2023) — Efficacy of Lycium barbarum (Goji berry) mouthwash for managing periodontitis: a randomized clinical trial. · F1000Research
19.PMID: 36429292 (2022) — Quality of Goji Berry Fruit (Lycium barbarum L.) Stored at Different Temperatures. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
20.PMID: 36761830 (2022) — Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) inhibits the proliferation, adhesion, and migration of oral cancer cells by inhibiting the ERK, AKT, and CyclinD cell signaling pathways: an in-vitro study. · F1000Research
21.PMID: 34213407 (2022) — The Effect of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide on the Glucose and Lipid Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. · Journal of the American Nutrition Association
22.PMID: 35593666 (2023) — Lycium barbarum (Goji) as functional food: a review of its nutrition, phytochemical structure, biological features, and food industry prospects. · Critical reviews in food science and nutrition
24.PMID: 34083720 (2021) — Wolfberry genomes and the evolution of Lycium (Solanaceae). · Communications biology
25.PMID: 37182278 (2023) — Lycium barbarum (Wolfberry) glycopeptide prevents stress-induced anxiety disorders by regulating oxidative stress and ferroptosis in the medial prefrontal cortex. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
26.PMID: 41059192 (2025) — Therapeutic mechanisms of Lycii Fructus in male infertility: a comprehensive review. · Frontiers in pharmacology
27.PMID: 31163996 (2020) — The major zeaxanthin dipalmitate derivatives from wolfberry. · Journal of Asian natural products research
28.PMID: 40761284 (2025) — Lycium barbarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus synergistically protect against anti-tuberculosis drug-induced male reproductive injury via gut microbiota-independent pathways in mice. · Frontiers in microbiology
29.PMID: 29548467 (2018) — Lycium barbarum polysaccharides: Extraction, purification, structural characterisation and evidence about hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects. A review. · Food chemistry